Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Sioux Falls, SD: $24.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Sioux Falls, SD runs $24.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,711 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Sioux Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.6, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,023 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Graphic designers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, earn a median hourly pay of $24.86, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.29. This figure reflects an environment where graphic designers often work in diverse settings such as agency studios, corporate marketing offices, and home-based freelance setups. For part-time designers working three days a week, this translates into significant earning potential, allowing for flexibility and a balanced lifestyle. The hourly pay range for graphic designers in Sioux Falls typically starts at $18.34 for entry-level positions and can reach up to $32.67 for top earners, highlighting a variety of opportunities in the local market, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.34 | $146.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.39 | $171.08 |
| Median (P50) | $24.86 | $198.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.84 | $238.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.67 | $261.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux Falls
Based on $24.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.86/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux Falls, SD can expect to earn approximately $51,705 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,830. With a cost-of-living index of 90.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $994.32 | $4,309 | $51,705 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $596.59 | $2,585 | $31,023 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $397.73 | $1,723 | $20,682 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Sioux Falls) | $24.86 |
| Web Developer (National Avg) | $45.87 |
| Art Director (National Avg) | $62.64 |
| Special Effects / Animator (National Avg) | $45.53 |
| Industrial Designer (National Avg) | $41.73 |
Graphic Designers in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $51,711 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.54% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 14.40% below the South Dakota state average of $60,410.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.86/hr = $31,023/year (purchasing power: $34,230).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,705/year (purchasing power: $57,050).
CoL index: 90.631 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Sioux Falls grew 28.5% from $18.71/hr (2019) to $24.05/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.69/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem graphic designers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.36% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Graphic Designer in Sioux Falls
Focusing on the realities of part-time work, a graphic designer working 24 hours a week in Sioux Falls can expect to earn roughly $30,000 annually, which offers a viable income while avoiding the demands of full-time employment. In contrast, per diem or contract graphic designers can command rates between $50 and $95 per hour, with seasoned professionals in specialized areas such as brand design and motion graphics potentially earning much more—$75-$150 and $100-$180 per hour, respectively. This variance is influenced by the type of employer; in-house positions might provide steadier pay and benefits, while agencies often emphasize creativity over compensation. Freelancers should carefully negotiate their rates, especially in a competitive environment where platforms like Fiverr can dilute pricing. Offering higher hourly rates usually comes with the trade-off of fewer benefits, so designers must assess their priorities when considering job offers in Sioux Falls and SD as a whole.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MFA
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in graphic design. They specialize in branding and visual identity. Their work includes freelance projects for small businesses.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for graphic designers in Sioux Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.36%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for graphic designers (SOC 27-1024).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov